Pages

Friday, August 10, 2012

Why Do You Write

My mind immediately flashes to images of Anne Shirley and Jo March when I think of a writer. I loved them when I was a child (I still love them), and I remember cheering when they saw pieces published, and crying when their work wasn’t loved or appreciated. It was my first taste of the joy and agony of writing, lived through their words, long before I ever imagined I would try to write anything more creative or personal than a term paper.

I didn’t understand the agonizing beauty of taking pieces of your heart, and putting them out there for the world to read. I didn’t imagine what it could mean to a person like me, who lives so much of life inside my own head, to reach out through words on a screen and build connections. It has changed my life.

I traveled a long path with words before I was able to finally use the word writer to describe myself.

Tracie,You write with clear eloquence. I began writing when I was about 12. As a teen, I sent away for lessons through the mail (paid for with berry-picking money). I had many problems as a teenager and had difficulty communicating, but I was able to turn to writing to help. Later I would get a master's degree with an emphasis in publishing. My memoir is due out in 8 weeks. Personal writing started for me as a way to reach out, to heal, to grow--but I hope it has grown to becoming a way to help others. I aspire to reach your level of writing--you do a wonderful job with this blog.

That is such a hard question to answer, Tracie. I suppose my reasons for writing depend on WHAT I'm writing. For instance, the reason I write my blog is different than the reason I write fiction. I am going to have to give this a lot of thought!